NO SHOW PONY, THIS NEW UTE FROM GREAT WALL - THE UNUSUALLY NAMED "STEED" - IS A WORKHORSE.

More than just a new model, the 2016 Great Wall Steed marks the relaunch of the Great Wall brand in Australia, moving from third-party import to factory-backed operation, with the aftersales support to match.

And this ute knows its place. It’s a worker, a tool of the trade, priced to please accountants but equipped to keep workers happy. It's got it's work cut out, if it's to make a mark against the likes of Navara, HiLux, D-Max et al, in such a tough sector

OVERVIEW

With one specification, picking your Great Wall Steed should be simple - you can choose a 4x2 petrol, 4x2 diesel, or 4x4 diesel - and that’s it.

For the time being the Steed is only available as a dual cab pick-up, with a six-speed manual. There is no auto, no single cab, no cab-chassis - at least not yet, but Great Wall promises that more work-ready models will be coming next year, and an auto is a little further down the track.

Beneath the skin the Steed makes use of a proven mechanical set. It's broadly based upon the underpinnings of the V200 and V240 series utes sold here previously, along with other known elements like Bosch stability control and a Borg Warner transfer case (on 4x4 models).

The dash design is contemporary though not cutting-edge, and there were no visible issues with fit and finish, which bodes well for Great Wall’s initial quality impressions.

Some of the interior surfaces don’t quite feel as though they have the heft and solidity of more established ute offerings, and there’s no denying that it feels maybe a little basic in construction.

But not every ute needs to be premium, and as Ford and Volkswagen battle for a premium feel to the accommodation, you will sometimes feel like you need to take your Blunnies off before you get in. The Steed arrives as a decent reminder that work utes should be for work.

Up front the driving position is a better fit for shorter drivers, although there’s enough seat travel for the long-legged variety. The footwell however can be a little tight, and the tilt-only steering column limits adjustment slightly.

It’s a similar story in the rear - there’s a decent amount of room back there, but as the Steed is a little smaller than utes like the Colorado there’s a little less leg room in the rear, a little less under-thigh support, and the backrest is very upright.

But, co-workers and younger kids will still fit in, and do so without too many complaints. Even after a couple of hours behind the wheel we still felt fresh and free of aches and pains.

It’s on the road that the difference between more established players, like Triton or Colorado, and a Steed becomes apparent. That’s not to say that Steed is a bad drive, it’s just different.

The first, and most apparent difference you’ll feel, is the extreme lightness of the steering. And that weight doesn’t build as speed rises, it stays super light, which some buyers might target as a benefit, particularly if the Steed is put to work for delivery duties.

It’s also got a very slow steering rack, resulting in a flurry or steering-wheel spinning to get in and out of tight spots. Three-point turns become comically over-animated, and even gentle-radius bends end up becoming hand-over-hand turns.

But, that’s the only major glaring on-road difference between the Steed and its competitors.

The launch drive for the Steed didn’t include any off-road activity, so we’ll wait until we have a longer loan to comment on that, but at least 4x4 models come equipped with a push-button system to make things simple.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine hardly leads the pack with 110kW and 310Nm, but it is up to the task.

It’s a little more noisy under load, but settles down to a quiet thrum for steady cruising, and (unladen at least) it doesn’t struggle with the burden of shifting the Steed about.

Without a massive swell of torque on hand, maintaining pace uphill requires some downshifting, where fifth gear might be appropriate in a Ranger, you’ll be looking for fourth (or even third) in the Steed.

But, the six-speed gearbox has a decent shift action, and the clutch is neither too numb, nor too heavy.

Buyers who opt for the petrol version will find the Mitsubishi-designed 2.4 litre petrol is also a decent unit. It’s an older engine now, so perhaps not at the top of its game for performance and technology.

It’s also mated to a five-speed manual, in place of the six-speed unit in the diesel, but (again, unladen) it gets about town with a spring in its step. That said, for overtaking or in hilly areas you’ll probably need to pedal it pretty hard.

As for ride quality, which often isn’t a ute strong point, the Steed is surprising - it's a tad unsophisticated but it's not too bad at all. It follows the usual template of a rigid rear axle with leaf springs.

With a moderate load of one-hundred-and-something kilograms in the back (the GW reps on hand didn’t have an exact figure) the Steed felt settled, and certainly never insecure on surfaces with a few undulations and mid-corner bumps.

With an empty tray (a situation that’s unlikely in a work ute) there’s a bit more bounce, but even over big hits there was no unexpected shifting around, no pothole crashing.

RIVALS TO CONSIDER

Great Wall acknowledges that the Foton Tunland is aiming for a similar demographic of price-conscious shoppers, and that the Mahindra Pik-Up and Genio are cheap, but lack the same modern appeal as the Steed.

The Tata Xenon offers a bigger range of bodystyles, with similar engine specs and carrying capacity, but isn’t as plush as Steed. The Mitsubishi Triton has a sharp focus on value without feeling out-of-date, or too budget oriented, and is a better-sorted drive.

What about the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, and Holden Colorado? Those utes operate in the kinds of fleets Great Wall would like to infiltrate, but they’re bigger, more powerful, and can tow more. They’re not direct competitors, but Great wall hopes that the Steed can can take their place for buyers wanting to drive their dollars further.

TMR VERDICT | OVERALL

Is the Great Wall Steed the best ute you can buy? Well, to be blunt - no. But is it the best ute you can buy for under $30k? Right now the answer is a resounding yes.

The basics are there: it drives quite ok, is finished to a decent standard, and throws in a long-enough list of standard equipment. It may not have the polish of bigger, flasher utes, nor the towing capacity, but is just as work-ready.

Behind the scenes the new factory-backed Great Wall operation in Australia is working to ensure aftersales support (a previous issue for the brand) is better managed. It promises a full spare parts inventory, and speedy resolution of customer qualms.

Will that be enough to steer buyers towards the brand? With low pricing and a growing dealer network servicing key areas in Australia the Steed stands a better chance than the previous toiler. There is certainly nothing wrong with the price, nor the equipment list, but depreciation will likely be a factor.

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TMR Comments

Breadvan | 08 Sep 2016 03:24

There's a lot to like about this ute. It's not stupidly large, it has a sane loading height and it's affordable. Interior looks quite a comfortable, airy place. Look forward to seeing more work-oriented (tray top single cab) variations.

Heinz Breadvan | 09 Sep 2016 06:24

Hey Breadvan,
I would be interested how clean and environmentally friendly the production of these cars is, which I believe it is not.
Do you have any information?

Breadvan Heinz | 09 Sep 2016 07:01

I can't help you if you want to adopt a point of view with no information.
But, looking at things rationally and logically we can start with the assumption it is no better or worse than any other car manufactured in China. China makes the bits and pieces that go into cars for a lot of car manufacturers and component suppliers around the world. The Great Wall like any other car (or any other thing) is largely built from off the shelf bits and pieces. So we can therefore speculate that it uses components from the same manufacturers for parts that go into international cars.
You also have to consider the factories in China are newer and therefore likely to be using more advanced less-polluting and efficient technologies than in other countries. China is a world leader in adopting renewable energy.
Why support China? They buy Australian commodities, food and invest in our country bringing lots of prosperity. We have a massive trade surplus with them.

Heinz Breadvan | 10 Sep 2016 00:26

Good comment, but I was challenging you, as you were always complaining about the pollution of some Diesel vehicles.
Unfortunately the truth about the Chinese environment is somewhat different. I have been in China many times over the last few years and I can't see the country changing as yet in regards to the environment. They might be leading in adopting the technologies, but it'll take many years to come for this to have an effect.
I have been in many other industrial countries and have never seen pollution as bad as in China. Air, waterways and sewerage are really bad. Approx. 1.5 million people die of pollution related illnesses in China every year (which is an official figure, what is the real number like?)
They might buy our resources, but they also buy large parcels of land to breed their own food. We are effed without China, but we are also in a vulnerable situation with them. We didn't support our local manufacturing for it to be sustainable and now we are becoming dependant on China. I still wouldn't put my backside in a Chinese car!

Breadvan Heinz | 10 Sep 2016 03:08

I thought we were talking about the environmental impact of manufacturing a Great Wall ute...
But as far as vehicle emissions standards, China follows EU standards. So, same as here.
There is no speculation or any evidence Great Wall is breaching vehicle emissions standards with the Steed. No defeat device. No mendacious management (esp in Australia where they treat us as dumb lumpkins) . No lying. No cheating. Unlike what seems to be happening in parts of Germany. The only rational and logical conclusion is that Great Wall Steed is a more moral choice than, say, an Amarok. If you care about air quality. And you should.

Heinz Breadvan | 12 Sep 2016 11:11

Sorry Breadvan,
I totally disagree with you.
I have been in manufacturing plants in Europe and in China, I have lived in Europe and have travelled Asia a lot.
They might stick a label on something, saying they comply with standards, but the Chinese do not comply.
Trucks and cars in China are filthy dirty, as they are in other Asian countries.
Give me a break about Dieselgate, which is a drop in the ocean compared to the pollution produced by commercial vehicles.

Heinz | 08 Sep 2016 06:07

Let's wait for the crash test results! I wouldn't put my backside in any Chinese car at this stage. But they are getting better, without a doubt.

Allan Heinz | 31 Oct 2016 20:06

Well I have had a great Wall since 2011 one of the best cars i have ever owned have never had a problem and still going strong towed a caravan from n.s.w to qld and back no worries great vehicle:)

donk1 | 09 Sep 2016 01:16

Don't bother with it. It's only marginally better than the last one. Poor quality & resale will continue to be a noose around anyone that buys one. Might look good, but it still has cabin rattles mismatched plastics & doors that don't align properly. NO TICK.

Open mind donk1 | 10 Sep 2016 10:45

My $90000 Japanese 4x4 wagon has cabin rattles, and in this market saying a car will have good resale is purely speculation.

donk1 | 12 Sep 2016 11:02

A vehicles resale after 3,or 5 yrs depends on a particular brands history here. Established models from Euro, Japanese , & Korean brands are known for general overall reliability & quality & resale etc. Chinese brands are an unknown with little or no history. Reliability & quality will affect resale significantly until it becomes established , which at the moment current Chinese vehicles are finding hard to do. Haval have sold 220 cars since launching here nearly a yr ago. LDV have sold about the same over the same time. These 2 are not likely to last much longer with only that amount of vehicles sold. Not much point the importer spending huge amounts of dough on vehicles that no one wants. Would be costing ATECO more to comply them & ship them for no return.

R Cahill | 28 Sep 2016 06:45

I have had my GWM X200 since new (3 + years ago) It has been oustanding, I have driven it all over Australia Perth , Darwin Cairns covering 90,000 kms at an average of less than 8 ltrs per 100 km. The only problem has been the rear coolant hose which cost $49! My biggest problem is trying to come to terms with it now that the Steed is here!

realist | 28 May 2017 05:27

I have owned an x200 and a v200 from new,i got rid of thex200 due to niggling problems and bought a Santa FE. The x200 I kept due to the fact that it is worth nothing, and basicaly a holden colorado,parts are plentiful. I have done over 120000 km with only the common problems everybody else has. The new steed I drove, and was very impressed but two things stopped me buying one. Firstly the price I was offered for mine, and secondly the price drops on their competitors to compete with great wall. Mitzubishi was only a fraction dearer but in the end would have been worth more and parts were available anywhere. I kept my great wall and bought another hyundai diesel for less than half the price.